Fred Phelps' "God Hates Fags" Message: Is It Free Speech?

John W. Whitehead March 15th, 2010

"You can't preach the Bible without preaching the hatred of God."–Pastor Fred Phelps

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to hear Snyder v. Phelps, a case dealing with anti-gay protests at the funerals of American soldiers, is stirring up debate over whether the privacy rights of grieving families trumps the free speech rights of demonstrators.

The case arose after members of the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church picketed the Maryland funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Sn … (Read More)

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Jim & Casper Go to Church - Matt Casper on SBE

Erik Guzman March 12th, 2010

Matt Casper was your average everyday atheist minding his own business, until one day Jim Henderson came along and rented his soul. Then, Jim dragged Matt's soul (and his body) to churches all over the country just to get his reaction. The result is Jim and Casper Go to Church: Frank Conversation about Faith, Churches, and Well-Meaning Christians.

(If you're on the front page of the site click "Read More" to see player options.)

Join us as we talk with Matt about his experi … (Read More)

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Anger, Ashes & Compassion

Susan Isaacs March 9th, 2010

One March afternoon in my first year of college, I stopped at the school's theater box office to buy tickets to some nihilistic bucket-o-blood experimental theater production. I had to see it for class credit. I noticed the woman behind the glass had a black smear on her forehead. Maybe she had to do scene painting for class credit? So I kindly informed her of the schmutz.

"It's Ash Wednesday," she glared.

"Oh, yes of course!" I apologized. I may have added that I w … (Read More)

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The Truman Show (1998)

Watching Theology March 8th, 2010

Call it satire, call it an allegory, but The Truman Show is about something. In this production-delayed episode Duke and Joe look over Peter Weir's oddly prophetic take on television. Join us as we examine how Jim Carey represents a helpless philosophical captive striving for enlightenment, a brave seeker battling demonic forces, or an innocent thinker tormented by a cruel deity. How does a satire on reality television turn into an adaptation of Plato's Republic? Step into our "ca … (Read More)

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Faith, Art & Avatar - Jeffery Overstreet on SBE

Erik Guzman March 5th, 2010

Mark Driscoll says Avatar is "the most demonic, satanic film" he's ever seen. Check out this video for the rest of his comments on this Academy Award-nominated film.

(If you're on the front page of the site click "Read More" to see player options.)

Then join us today as we talk with film critic and author Jeffrey Overstreet about Driscoll's comments and the relationship between faith and art. We also discuss Jeffrey's books, Auralia's Colors, Cynd … (Read More)

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March Program Lineup

Erik Guzman March 2nd, 2010

Join us today as we talk with film critic and author Jeffrey Overstreet about Mark Driscoll's comments on Avatar (see video below), and the relationship between faith and art.

(If you're on the front page of the site click "Read More" to see the video and live player link.)

Steve Brown Etc. is recorded on Fridays from noon - 1 ET, then aired on stations across the country that weekend. Listen live and call in at 1.888.54.STEVE (1.888.547.8383).

Also this month on SBER … (Read More)

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